The online journal of a crusty, longwinded trial lawyer, bemused observer of politics, and internet dilettante

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Does Obama-Biden have an edge in the GOTV ground game?

I would like all of my friends who are Democrats to read this very optimistic assessment of the relative quality of the two parties' get-out-the-vote "ground games" by a staff writer for the reliably left-leaning The Atlantic. (Hat-tip Avik Roy at The Corner.)

Seriously, I'd especially like for all my Dem friends in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Iowa to read this very optimistic assessment. Treat it as authoritative. Consider its devastating logic and credibility as you cope with the many demands on your time in the next couple of weeks. Any good progressive can and should rely on The Atlantic, so you can be absolutely certain that with or without your vote, Obama's got this in the bag. Oh, sure, you could schlep down to the polls and engage in a bit of symbolic ritual, but really, what's going to more directly affect your real-world quality of life and the lives of those you love — some symbolism, or a really good, long, guilt-free nap?

My main question after reading this is: If the Obama campaign is actually this smart and effective, why is unemployment still above 8% and the deficit above $16T?

Also, if the Romney campaign is as clueless as it appears to be from this article, how did he ever manage to pull off that Olympics thing or make all that money?

These questions ought not trouble my Democratic friends, though. Yes, those are the droids you were looking for.

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Comments

Discussing similar considerations recently - what evidence do we have about DNC to this effect?

In 2008 there was hardly any GOTV required - folks were excited to vote for first black president, it was politically correct, a good way for guys in college to meet a girl, etc., etc.. This required no extensive GOTV efforts.

In 2010 - we know what the result of the vaunted DNC GOTV was - in Obama's words, "a shellacking" ROFLMAO (NOTE that's outside of Ohio which came up short - so no excuses!)

In 2012 - recall in WI came up with Walker winning by twice as much as he did in 2010.

One of the interesting things in that Atlantic article was when the author was at a Romney office, and they had run out of signs.

Haw! What a bunch of maroons! They didn't even stock ENOUGH SIGNS!!!

Hmmm. Or is it possible that they didn't stock enough signs, b/c there was a LOT of appeal and demand for them? Maybe even more than the office had expected? An office Greenwood Village, Colorado, a battleground state?

Naah. Romney and the Rethuglicans are just stupid. Yeah, that's the ticket!

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